ISLAMABAD: The number of coronavirus cases have been rising in the country amid fears of a third wave and as the government reconsiders its decision to reopen schools.
According to the latest statistics of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Pakistan has reported 1,786 fresh infections in the country, the highest since January. This has increased the total number of infections in 595,239.
With the rising number of cases, the nation can reach the grim milestone of 600,000 cases by the end of this week. Pakistan has also recorded 43 more coronavirus-related deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 13,324.
The total count of active cases is 16,699.In the past 24 hours, as many as 1,393 patients have recovered from the virus in a day but 1,664 patients are still in critical condition, raising fears that healthcare institutes may again be overwhelmed.
A total of 39,425 tests were conducted across the country during this period. Overall 565,216 people have recovered from the deadly disease so far while 9,318,038 samples have been tested thus far.
Pakistan will start the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination from Wednesday (today) following an announcement made by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan. “Beginning with the senior most citizens, who will receive SMS with instructions on their cell phones,” he tweeted.
The NCOC head Asad Umar had announced that the vaccination of people aged 60 years and above will start from Wednesday. “Vaccinations will be done in reverse order by age. Which means the oldest person who has registered will be vaccinated first. Full details will be issued tomorrow,” he tweeted.
